Los Angeles and New York (November 5, 2012) - The Screen Actors Guild Foundation (SAG Foundation) today announced that it has partnered with the Screen Actors Guild Motion Picture Players Welfare Fund (SAG MPPWF) to create a Superstorm Sandy Emergency Assistance Fund specifically to provide financial support grants to active SAG-AFTRA members affected by the recent hurricane.

The SAG Foundation has provided initial funding through a $100,000 contribution that is being matched by an identical $100,000 from the SAG MPPWF for a total available assistance pool of $200,000. The Actors Fund is partnering with the SAG Foundation and SAG MPPWF in this much-needed effort and will provide the social services and coordinate the grant reviews and approvals. Checks will be made available within days.

The process has been minimized to speed relief to those in need and consists of a quick, confidential and non-invasive application and consultation to establish need. During the consultation, the social services professionals will also assess each applicant’s need for additional assistance, programs or services.

Affected and eligible SAG-AFTRA members may apply to the fund for cash grants of up to $2,400 from the SAG Foundation and an additional $2,400 from the SAG MPPWF, for a total potential assistance grant of $4,800 per person upon approval. Members are eligible to apply if they are currently active and have paid their dues through the May 2012 billing cycle.

“This was a devastating crisis and people throughout the area are having a very tough time,” said actor and SAG Foundation Board Member Ron Perlman. “That’s why we’re here – to lend a helping hand to SAG-AFTRA members in their time of need. Actors, broadcasters, sound recording artists are all eligible to apply and I look forward to getting help to all SAG-AFTRA members.”

Longtime New Yorker and actor Jane Curtin said, “I see it walking down the street each day and I know that my friends and colleagues – SAG-AFTRA members -- are suffering. This is one really great thing we can do to help out.”

“We are grateful to the SAG Motion Picture Players Welfare Fund for partnering with us and co-funding this effort and to The Actors Fund for providing their unparalleled services in supporting SAG-AFTRA members. We expect to be providing relief within a day,” said SAG Foundation President Jo Beth Williams.

“This was an epic storm with devastating consequences to SAG-AFTRA members across this area. We’re pleased to partner with the SAG Foundation on this important effort to provide assistance specifically to affected SAG-AFTRA members,” said SAG MPPWF Chair Maureen Donnelly.

Members in need can apply by contacting The Actors Fund intake services at:

No SAG-AFTRA membership dues are being used to service or administer the Superstorm Sandy Emergency Assistance Fund.

The SAG Foundation is accepting donations directed to the Superstorm Sandy Emergency Assistance Fund from individuals and corporate donors who may wish to help provide relief to hard-hit SAG-AFTRA members in the affected areas. Contributions may be made by clicking here.

About Screen Actors Guild FoundationFounded in 1985, the Screen Actors Guild Foundation is an educational, humanitarian and philanthropic 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Funded independently of SAG-AFTRA, the SAG Foundation offers substantive services to union members in its mission to assist, educate and inspire actors in their careers and to give back to the communities in which they live. Find out more at www.sagfoundation.org.

About Screen Actors Guild Motion Picture Players Welfare FundThe Screen Actors Guild Motion Picture Players Welfare Fund is an emergency financial assistance fund of SAG-AFTRA and serves members in the New York region and all locals east of Omaha, Nebraska, which includes Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, Michigan, Missouri-Kansas City-Nebraska, Nashville, New England, New Orleans, Ohio-Allegheny, Philadelphia, Twin Cities, and Washington-Mid-Atlantic. The SAG MPPWF is designed to assist eligible members who are struggling with a financial, personal or medical crisis. Financial assistance is available for rent, utilities, mental health and medical care as well as other basic living expenses.

About The Actors FundThe Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps everyone— performers and those behind the scenes—who works in performing arts and entertainment, serving more than 12,800 people annually. Programs include social services and emergency financial assistance, health care and insurance, housing, and employment and training services. Visit www.actorsfund.org.